Saturday, March 21, 2009

Does GOD Still Speak? (our miracle story)

Hi everyone.  This is Josh.  I don’t write very often, my wife excuses me from it for all but the most important.

Anyway, here’s a little story for your reading pleasure.

It begins at a time not so long ago, in a land far far away, (Vanuatu).  So I’ve been looking for work from the first week we moved here.  I typed, retyped, retyped, and then retyped several more resumes after much appreciated editorial help from Kristy’s sister Janel.  Thank you again Janel.  Then we proceeded to drop them everywhere there was a hint of work to be had!

I had 5 interviews at very promising companies, but we struck out every time.  Some wanted me to have skills that I don’t.  I wasn’t “Chinese” enough for one company.  Another wanted me to start my own company, all I would need is a $50,000 bond. Every door seemed shut.

We’ve made good friends with the leaders of the YWAM base here, (Jeff and Amanda).   My gut tells me they want us to be full time staff.  But anyway, Amanda and I were talking about the job situation and she asked us to pray about weather or not God wanted us to work.  So the next day Kristy and I fasted and prayed.  Through all that we felt God say surrender it to Him.  Very clearly though.  We got a few scriptures and this is what they said “and she (the story of the widows mite) gave up all she had to live on.”  and then a reference came to Kristy 1 Cor 1:31 so we looked it up and it said “let him who boasts boast in the Lord” and Psalms 37 (trust in the lord, he will give you the desires of your heart..”  Job or no job, we are to trust God as our provider.  So we completely surrendered the job situation and thought maybe God was leading us to get support and not work. 

Oh by the way,  we are running out of money too.  We have enough to eat for 1.5 months on a VERY tight budget.  So trusting in God gets harder when you really have to.

One more thing.  I’m typing on our computer, (thank you Dick and Roxy), out on our deck.  My kids are tickling my feet and a gecko just pooped on the key board!  It’s a crazy place.

So back to the story.  The next day I received a phone call from a gentleman named Sean.    Sean expressed interest in meeting with me about possible work.  We didn’t have very high hopes.

Sean and I met at a cafe the next day at 10am.  I got there about 9am because I wanted a quiet time. I ordered the cheapest thing on the menu, a cup of green tea, sat down, and began praying.  I noticed a Ni-van,(local islander), smiling and staring at me.  After his breakfast, Eddie the Ni-van, (I call him Eddie the Prophet), approached me with excited anticipation, and asked to sit down.  Being the polite gentlemen I am, I kindly agreed.  This is where it gets good.

Eddie then tells me this: “  I saw you walking across the street.  There was a bright light shining down upon you and surrounding you.  The light was blocking all things dark from touching you.  He said something about this being Gods hedge of protection around us. God gave me these scriptures for you, and I don’t know what they say.  He gave us only the references and he had not looked them up.

Isaiah 43: 1-5  But now, this is what the Lord says---he who created you, O Jacob,  he who formed you, O Israel:  “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name and you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep you over.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  For I am the lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your savior…

Isaiah 43: 18-19  Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing.  Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Joel 2: 23-25  Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for He has given you the autumn rains in righteousness.  He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains.  The threshing floors will be filled with grain, the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

Psalms 37: 4  Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Eddie then said, “God’s telling me that you’ve had some confusion lately but God is going to give you what you’ve been seeking, right now!

So Eddie says his goodbyes, pays for my tea, and walks out, as I sit there in awe and wonder.  Next in walks Sean.  He sits down and offers me a great job, with an office, and a company truck.  He owns an electrical company and a separate construction company.  Sean was just awarded the bid on the first phase of a huge government project connecting all the islands by radio wave towers, then running fiber optics to each government building, then recabeling each building.  Wow!  This is exactly the work that I do.  God is good.  Amen?

We don’t know if this job will be for 3 months or 10 years, but we will continue to trust in God.  Remember these words with me:

From the highest of heights to the depths of the seas

Creation’s revealing your majesty

From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring

Every creature unique in the song that it sings

All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable

You placed the stars in the sky and you know them by name.

You are amazing God

Awestruck we fall to our knees and we humbly proclaim

You are amazing God.

 

We love you all.  Keep praying for us.  I’ll fill everyone in on the vision God has giving us for our land.  We close on the land on Monday.  For most of you it will be your Sunday.

Lovin God Island Style

Josh

4 comments:

Deb Egan said...

I love this story! It made cry with tears of joy and excitement for you. Mom

roxannaanderson said...

I loved your story Josh. I burst into tears because of God speaking so directly to you, not by a person you knew but a stranger! Also because finding the work that God has fit you for can be challenging. Seeing you and Kristy there is so great. When I first heard of V. I said in my heart to God, "this is so perfect for Josh and Kristy" and now look! It really is!

Radiopool said...

Joshy! Great story! From the depths of Data's, lonely com. rooms to the sunshine that is God's face shining down on the faithful, eh? It is lovely to see what God is doing in and through you guys. He never ceases to amaze me in how he consistently and abundantly blesses those who step boldly step out in faith. Your stories are challenging and are reminding me to let go and trust. What a beautiful and clear picture of an inward peace that is so obviously overshadowing the physical discomforts you may be experiencing, with all the adjustments your making to the new climate and culture. It's cool to see how free you both seem.
On a more serious note, did you take a picture of the gecko pooping on the keyboard? Would love to see that if you did.
I love you guys and, boy, it would be lovely to see you all over there in the not-too-distant future...

Sabrina Willis said...

Josh & Kristy, Praise God for your obedience in your walk. I am praying and will continue to pray for your health, your new home on your new land, your finances, your jobs, your band-aid ministry, and that the ministry of your hearts be quickly revealed to you. You are advancing the Kingdom of God and I give thanks for you both. I command in the name of Jesus for sickness, illness, and discomfort to leave Dahlia now, in the name of Jesus. For her to be healed, for Pierce to remain strong and healthy and that any future illness or discomfort to have no access to your family. I stand in prayer for the birth of the baby that you wish to adopt to be healthy and the adoption process to be free from all problems. God is so good and His goodness shows through you and your testimony. Thank you for sharing. Be blessed! Praise God. Sabrina